Center Trail and Hopkinton Mews Discussed at Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met Monday, September 22nd, to discuss a number of building projects around town with concern to their environmental disturbance and impact.

The commission's first hearing was a continuation of the Center Trail project. The Commission first discussed waiving the consultant fee and/or the filing fee for the project, since it is a minor project and not a commercial project. The commission did consider this a minor project, and so waived the filing fee. The plan, as presented, is to construct a ten foot wide path with a one-foot buffer on either side, spanning from Hayden Rowe street to Chamberlain street. The plans for the trail call for it to loop behind the school complex, close to field 13, before emerging on Chamberlain street. The commission did raise concern at the width of the trail, stating at one point that it was more of a road than a trail. The commission also expressed some concern towards the area around two vernal pools, in what the commission called "bootleg trails"; these are areas that have been disturbed but are not official trails. Although hikers would be discouraged from walking between the two pools, the commission recognized that it was the shortest route and some, especially children, may disturb the area anyway. The CPC stated that they would take measures to block the bootleg trails. A representative of HALT in the audience also expressed concern at the number of trees that were slated for removal, and hoped that the CPC could work with HALT to minimize tree disturbance. The commission, after continued deliberation at the end of the meeting, approved the notice of intent subject to revised trail width plans and updated disturbance data. To view the proposed trail plans, click on the map above.

Next, the committee opened the hearing for 6 Cobbler's Way. Mr. Gassett, who has been developing the area, came for approval for a new house in the subdivision. The commission recommended decreasing the amount of grass planned for the lot, and keeping more trees to increase the buffer zone between the property and the wetlands.

The committee then heard from Hopkinton Mews, as they presented a notice of intent for their 0 Lumber St construction project. They presented plans for storm water drainage and snow removal. Hopkinton Mews also presented the committee with the degree of disturbance to wetland buffer zones. There will be 9.53 acres of buffer zone disturbance altogether, with 3.96 of those acres within the 50 foot buffer zone; this amounts to 25% of the site within buffer zones (11% within the 50 ft zone, 13% in the 50-100 ft zone). The commission called for a site walk between September 22nd and October 20th to review the proposed site.

The Hopkinton DPW then presented the committee with plans to construct a new DPW facility at their 83 Wood St lot. After meeting with Beta, the DPW modified their plans to better work with the commission's requests. The old building is an insufficient structure, and the DPW representatives stated that it would cost more to renovate the existing building than it would to tear it down and build another.

Finally, the conservation commission opened a hearing for 203 Pond St. Before this meeting, the commission went on a site walk to observe disturbed areas and distance of this project from vernal pools. The commission found an already disturbed meadow area, and there was some debate as to whether this should be mowed annually or left untouched. The commission voted to approve the notice of intent to build the road into this proposed development area.

The Conservation Commission meets next on October 6, 2014.